SOMO News
SOMO Scoop: September
“My favorite memory so far? Watching the athletes compete at the games, including indoor, summer, and outdoor games. I absolutely love watching the determination, grit, and resiliency of our athletes.”
– Larry Linthacum, President & CEO
Statewide
State Outdoor Games: Volunteer or Support!
Volunteer registration for the State Outdoor Games is now open and spots are filling up quickly! This is a great opportunity to support our athletes and be part of the action. CLICK HERE to sign up!
The games are also open to the public, so bring your friends and family to cheer on the athletes and enjoy a day of fun, competition and community!
Team MO
We have officially announced who will be representing Missouri at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! If you missed our live stream, click here to watch the video revealing the amazing athletes and team members who will be heading to Minneapolis in 2026.
September Health & Fitness Program Updates
Join the September Challenge! Take breaks from screens to boost focus, reduce stress, and improve sleep. Each week, follow our tips to gradually cut back screen time and enhance your well-being.
Click here for full details and to join the challenge!
Plus, our Train for Life programming continues throughout September. Be sure to check out the calendar for upcoming sessions and activities.
Drive It Home Raffle – Get Your Tickets Soon!
The 2025 Drive It Home Raffle runs through November 9, 2025, with a 2026 Chevy Equinox Activ and early-bird cash prizes up for grabs! Don’t miss your chance to enter the Second Early-Bird Drawing for $2,500 cash prizes—get your tickets soon to qualify. Plus, try your luck in the 50/50 Raffle for a share of the jackpot!
SOMO App
It’s here! The official SOMO App will allow you to stay connected with all things Special Olympics Missouri! Get the latest updates, event schedules, athlete stories, and exclusive content—all in one place. Track your favorite teams, sign up for events, and never miss an important announcement.
Central Area
11th Annual Superhero Bocce Tournament
Join us for the 11th Annual Superhero Bocce Unified event on September 6, 2025, where community teams join Special Olympics Missouri athletes on the field! The cost is $120 per team, and each team member will receive a Superhero T-shirt. Register today! This event has proven to be a great experience for all involved.
Food, drinks, a silent auction, and a raffle will be available throughout the day. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., Opening Ceremony at 8:45 a.m., and tournament play begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Training for Life Campus in Jefferson City.
Please contact Carol Griffin at griffin@somo.org for more information or visit somo.org/superherobocce. Don’t miss your chance to be a hero on and off the bocce field!
Murder Mystery: October 30
Tickets are on sale now for our thrilling Murder Mystery Night this October! Help solve the crime and enjoy an evening of fun while supporting SOMO. Don’t miss out—get your tickets today! See below for sponsorship information! Click here to get more information on sponsorship for this event!
Swish for SOMO: November 20
Get ready for a day of fun and basketball for a great cause! We’re hosting Swish for SOMO on November 20. We’re currently looking for basketball players! Athletes must be able to play full-court basketball. If you’re interested, please email AJones@somo.org to sign up. Don’t miss out on this exciting event supporting Special Olympics Missouri!
We are also looking for sponsors! Click here to view sponsorship information for this event.
MU Homecoming Parade: September 27
We’re excited to announce that SOMO has been invited to participate in the MU Homecoming Parade on Saturday, September 27! The parade kicks off at 9 a.m., with more details and instructions to follow.
If you’d like to join us and help represent SOMO, please email AJones@somo.org. We’d love to have you walk with us!
Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser: September 13
Join us for a Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser in Saint James, MO on September 13! Compete in men’s and women’s doubles or mixed doubles and support a great cause.
For more information, check out the attached flyers or contact Anthony Lauth at 573-308-7449.
Show Me State Air Show: September 13 & 14
We have an opportunity to sell raffle tickets at the Show Me State Air Show on 9/13 and 9/14. Please use this link to sign up for a slot! You also get free entrance to the air show for that day.
Central Area Golf Tournament: September 9
Tee off with SOMO at the Central Area Golf Tournament on September 9 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Oak Hills. Come enjoy an evening of golf and support Special Olympics Missouri!
KC/ North/ Central Area Flag Football: September 13
Cheer on our athletes at the KC/North/Central Area Flag Football event on September 13, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Warrensburg High School Field. It’s a day full of fun, teamwork, and sportsmanship!
Central Area Bocce: September 20
Join us for Central Area Bocce on September 20, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Special Olympics Missouri’s Training for Life Campus. Celebrate skill and friendly competition with our athletes!
Kansas City Metro Area
Plane Pull & Block Party: September 6
Get ready for SOMO’s first-ever Plane Pull and third annual Block Party at the Kansas City–Lee’s Summit Regional Airport on September 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Co-hosted by the Kansas City Police Department, Lee’s Summit Police Department, and MSHP Troop A, this free community event will feature live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, a kid zone, and more!
- Form a team to pull a plane, click here
- Sign up as a sponsor or vendor, click here
- Looking to volunteer? Click here
Kansas City Panthers Visit Power Punch Bunch
The Kansas City Panthers, KC’s semi-pro football team, joined a recent Power Punch Bunch practice, bringing energy, encouragement, and plenty of smiles to our athletes.
KC Metro/ North Area Tennis: September 10
Serve up some fun at the KC Metro/North Area Tennis Tournament on September 10, 4–8 p.m. at the Plaza Tennis Center. Come cheer on our athletes as they show off their skills on the court!
KC/ North/ Central Area Flag Football: September 16
Join us for KC/North/Central Area Flag Football on September 16, 5:45–7 p.m. at Warrensburg High School Field. Athletes will hit the field for a fun and competitive evening of football!
UMKC Unified Flag Football Intramural
We’re teaming up with UMKC for FREE Unified Flag Football Intramurals! The league runs from September 16 to October 14 on Tuesday evenings. Click HERE to Sign-Up!
Grand Slam Showdown: September 20
Step up to the plate for the Grand Slam Border Showdown Unified Softball Tournament on September 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature regulation softball, coach pitch, and a game of t-ball—all while raising money for local SOMO competitions! Bring the whole family and enjoy concessions from The J.
- Team registration: $150 per team of 15
- Sign up your team or buy tickets here
North Area
KC/ North/ Central Area Flag Football: September 16
Join us for KC/North/Central Area Flag Football on September 16, 5:45–7 p.m. at Warrensburg High School Field. Athletes will hit the field for a fun and competitive evening of football!
KC Metro/ North Area Tennis: September 10
Serve up some fun at the KC Metro/North Area Tennis Tournament on September 10, 4–8 p.m. at the Plaza Tennis Center. Come cheer on our athletes as they show off their skills on the court!
2nd Annual Driving Fore Inclusion Golf Tournament: September 4
Team Missouri golfer Darrin Ellis will be competing in the 2nd Annual Driving Fore Inclusion Golf Tournament at Redfield. Come out and cheer him on!
Parties on the Parkway: September 11
SOMO will be providing drinks at Parties on the Parkway on September 11. Stop by and say hi while enjoying the event!
Southside Fall Festival: September 19–21
Join us at the Southside Fall Festival, where SOMO will be hosting a Sports Zone full of fun activities for the whole family.
Boot Block: September 20
We’ll be holding a Boot Block fundraiser at 22nd & Garfield on September 20. Be sure to stop by and show your support!
Young at Heart Presentation: September 23
Charlie will be presenting to the Young at Heart group to share more about SOMO and connect with potential volunteers.
Train for Life at B-Fit St. Joseph: September 4, 11, 18 & 25
St. Joe is fired up! BFIT just launched its first-ever Train 4 Life cycle with 20 athletes locked and loaded to crush the next 12 weeks of fitness! Huge shoutout to Coach Matt, Clinical Director Maureen, Volunteers, and BFIT for opening your doors and setting the stage.
Want to get in on the action? We need volunteers—teams, businesses, schools, and community champions—come support Coach Matt and help our athletes be their best. Sign up now on the Special Olympics Missouri Volunteer Hub: 
https://somo.volunteerhub.com
Southeast Area
SEMO District Fair Parade
SOMO will have a float in the SEMO District Fair Parade! Stay tuned for more details on how you can join us.
9th Annual Gene Davenport Memorial Golf Outing
The 9th Annual Gene Davenport Memorial Golf Outing will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course in Cape Girardeau. Check-in begins at 7 AM with an 8 AM tee time in a scramble format. Entry is $75 per person or $300 per team and includes lunch, food on the course, drink tickets, a golfer gift bag, raffle prizes, and more, with cash prizes awarded to the top three teams in each flight. Skins, mulligans, and hole move-ups are available, and hole sponsorships are $100. Limited to 32 teams, this event benefits Special Olympics Missouri – Southeast Area. Click here to view the registration form!
Scott Wright Memorial Cornhole Tournament
Enjoy a fun day of cornhole with adult and youth divisions, prizes, food, drinks, a raffle, and a silent auction—all supporting Special Olympics Missouri.
Registration deadline is September 29 (T-shirt guarantee by September 19).
Use the form to register: Cornhole Registration Form 2025 (PDF)
Area Bowling Tournaments – Dates Coming Soon
We will have more Area Bowling Tournament dates coming soon in the Southeast area! We’ll share details soon on when and where you can join in the fun. Check back on the calendar to stay up to date.
Southwest Area
Truck Convoy
The annual Truck Convoy benefiting Special Olympics Missouri rolls out September 27 from 4-State Trucks in Joplin. The event includes a Lead Truck Auction at 4:30 p.m., driver’s meeting, and scenic convoy ending at 26th & Maiden Lane.
Stick around for a free concert at 8 p.m. celebrating athletes and the trucking community.
Held in conjunction with the Guilty by Association Truck Show.
- Registration: $100 per truck
- On-site registration available Sept. 25–27
All proceeds support SOMO athletes.
Register or learn more: somo.org/convoy Questions? Contact Haley at blevins@somo.org.
Southwest Area Tennis Clinic: September 6
Athletes of all skill levels are invited to the Southwest Area Tennis Clinic at Cooper Indoor Tennis Complex. Beginners and intermediate players will play 1–2:30 p.m., followed by the advanced group from 2:30–4 p.m. Coaches and Program Staff will assign athletes to their groups prior to the clinic.
SW Area Unified Fishing Tournament: September 13
Cast a line at the Inaugural Unified Fishing Tournament from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Athletes and community anglers will team up for a day of fishing, friendship, and fun. Awards will follow for categories like Biggest Fish, Most Fish Caught, MVP, and more. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., launch at 8 a.m., return by 4 p.m. We are looking for boat and bank anglers to guide athletes, as well as volunteers to support the event!
Aces for Athletes Poker Run: September 20
Rev your engines (or pedals!) for the inaugural Aces for Athletes Poker Run, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with kickstands up at 11 a.m. Riders will make 7 stops including Foxhole, Wacky Jacks, KJ Brewski’s, and more—all to support Special Olympics Missouri athletes. Play your best 5-card hand to win cash prizes for Best & Worst Hand. All vehicles welcome! End the day back at Foxhole for food, raffles, and fun.
Southwest Area Block Party
Celebrate inclusion and community at the Southwest Area Block Party on October 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Northeast Community Park in Springfield.
Enjoy live entertainment, food, games, and Special Olympics fun for all ages.
This free event is open to the public.
Learn more: somo.org/calendar/sw-block-party
St. Louis Metro Area
2025 Guardian Games
The SOMO Guardian Games on October 4 bring together law enforcement, athletes, and community members for a day of teamwork, strength, and fun! Form a six-person team and compete in 10 exciting challenges—all to support our athletes. Do you have what it takes to be a Guardian? CLICK HERE.
St. Louis Metro Area Flag Football Tournament: September 7
Join us at Holt High School from 1–6 p.m. for the St. Louis Metro Area Flag Football Tournament. Come cheer on the athletes as they hit the field for a great day of competition and fun.
St. Louis Metro Area Bocce Tournament: September 20
The St. Louis Metro Area Bocce Tournament will take place at Hillsboro High School from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Don’t miss this exciting day of skill and teamwork.
Francis Howell Local Soccer Tournament: September 14
Catch all the action at Francis Howell Central High School from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. as athletes compete in the Francis Howell Local Soccer Tournament.
Stay in the know with SOMO by visiting our Area Pages below!